Ken O'Dowd (Flynn, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to pay tribute to Sergeant Owen Harms and Leonie Creed. Central Queensland lost two respected identities in the past week. Sergeant Owen Harms served 30 years in the Queensland Police Service and 20 years as sergeant at Miriam Vale. Words describing Owen include: a true blue Aussie, gentle, generous, popular, an outstanding citizen and a mate to everyone. Owen battled cancer, heart attacks, strokes and the demons of his police force service. He was a decorated officer who was awarded the Australian Police Medal, the National Medal and a Certificate of Merit from the Royal Humane Society of Australasia. He had community passion. He was well connected with the Gary Larson Oval and the Miriam Vale Rodeo. Owen was farewelled by 350 police officers, who formed a guard of honour, and some 3,000 people from the community. I give my sympathies to his family—Lyn, his wife, and his children, Brendon and Breanna.

I extend my condolences to the Creed family. Leonie Creed was a remarkable woman. She had a just-do-it attitude, a generous heart and was part of the Creed Grazing family, which includes the Old Station and Langmorn Station. She was famous for holding the Old Station Fly-In and Heritage Show—a regular annual event for the aeroplane bus. She is now reunited with her late husband George, who was a former mayor of Gladstone. I give my sympathies to Leonie's sons, Ron and Andrew, and their families. Rest in peace.

See this speech in context